an old writer and his words

  • JOSHU’S BOWL-WASHING

    When you sit before your teacherhe may ask you a simple question,why, perhaps, your robeis not tied, why, perhaps,your posture is slumping.If you sit and answer,he will dismiss you, butif you stand and tie your robe,sit down in a good posturehe will give you gasshoand send you on your path. A reflection on Case 39…

    Lou Faber

  • SANSHO’S GOLDEN CARP

    If you askyour teacherto show you the Dharmahe will lookat you and remainsilent.If you asknothingof your teacherhe willshow youthe wholeof the Dharma. A reflection on Case 33 of the Book of Equanimity (Shoyoroku 従容錄)

    Lou Faber

  • THE HIGHEST MEANING OF THE HOLY TRUTHS

    On the path youmay choose to askyour teacher to give youthe heart of the dharma.Accept his silenceand carry it with youfor it is the seedfrom which the great lotuswill arise.Peer within itand see nothing at alland cherish the giftof the heart of the Buddha. A reflection on Case 1 of the Blue Cliff Record (Hekiganroku…

    Lou Faber

  • UMMON’S FREE-STANDING PILLAR

    When you askhow you can getfrom where you areto Nirvanaa wise teacher willtell you there isno there.There is only hereand this is Nirvana.Then he will askyou the greater question–who are you really?How will you answer? A reflection on Case 31 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • FUKETSU’S IRON OX

    If you ask your teacherto give you the Dharmawhat do you expect ?But what if youtake it from him,what will youleave him with?If you find ityourself, thenyou are his heir. A reflection on Case 29 of the Book of Eq uanimity ( 従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • AND COUNTING

    How many timeshad they almost metover the years before that evening? What if the Fateshad allowed meetings,what would have changed?Likely everything, nothing,for when they might have metneither was available,he a student imagining himselfalready in love, or both marriednever thinking those relationshipswould possibly end in divorce. And how many times had theybeen in the same placeseparated…

    Lou Faber

  • JIZO’S NOT KNOWING IS THE MOST INTIMATE

    When you comebefore your teacherand he asks youwhat is it exactlythat you are looking for,what is it that youexpect finally to attain,how will you answer him?If you say you are seekingenlightenment, he will laughand send you away,but if you answerthat you do not know,he will hand youan empty bowland tell you to go fill it.…

    Lou Faber

  • ISAN’S EXPLORING SPIRITUAL POWERS

    If you mustfollow the Way, youmay read the Dharmafor hours on endor you may brewa pot of teafor your teacher, orbring your studenta towel and basin.Which two stepsalong the waywill you take? A reflection on Case 61 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans (True Dharma Eye)

    Lou Faber

  • HOFUKO’S POINT OF ATTAINMENT

    You may ask many thingsof any teacher you meetbut the wisest of themwill only offer youunending questions.When you look to themto point you to the Waythey are doomed to failurefor your feet obscurethe Way, and it is onlyby looking withinand down through your legsand feet and toesthat you can see the way A reflection on…

    Lou Faber

  • UMMON’S MOUNT SUMERU

    When you ask your teacherwhat happens when youstop thinking, allowno new thoughtswhat you expect himto tell you? The dead have no thoughtsbut that is not the doorto Nirvana. But if thoughts abandon youwithout your effort, withoutbeing asked to do so,then the door you seekwill open before you. A reflection on case 19 of the Book…

    Lou Faber